[he offered an area for suggestions. It was an opportunity, and I jumped on it. Here is the gruesome, devastating result:]


First, I would like to congratulate President-Elect Barack Obama, and mention that I am highly pleased with this result. Many of my fears are themselves fearing their end. Hope is an amazing thing that can really take your breath away and turn your life around, so I would like to thank you for making me proud of my country for the first time in my entire life. Thank you. Thank you very, very much.

That said... One of the biggest reasons I voted for Barack Obama, the thing that truly distinguished My chosen president from the rest, was his views on the internet. You don't hear "pro-internet" in debate. Most people don't even consider it... but there was some amazing footwork performed by the tech-savvy departments of the Obama camp, and I certainly hope that that won't end. Ever.
You see, there was a particular speech that Barack gave about Reforming Washington. Not only was this uploaded BY Barack's official campaign account on Youtube, but FURTHERMORE, it said some very remarkable, and in my opinion, exceptionally wonderful things:
1) Transparency in policy, intent, and executive decision-making...
2) ...by putting it on the INTERNET for all to see for five days!!
That, above all else, blew my mind.
Then, in a later speech, the president-elect (then a candidate still), mentioned setting up official government forums on the internet for United States citizens to interact and find a voice with.

If the last announcements blew my mind, this vaporized it for at least five minutes.

I cannot tell you how fascinated, pleased, encouraged, proud, inspired, and in fact honored I am to hear of these very things that I have been wishing and praying for our country to achieve since the day I learned how to point-and-click. This is the first, greatest, nearest step I have ever seen taken toward a REAL direct democracy, and I Approve, Mr. President! I Approve, and I am excitedly looking forward to more--much more!

Whether or not it is only the Obama administration that does it, I believe that the human race can only benefit from better communication and more knowledge at our fingertips! For the first time in our history, we possess the technology and skill to integrate The American into The American Government. I see a bright future where every human being on earth, America to start, truly CAN be heard, and President Obama has found the path that will lead us there. Emergent behaviors will soon enable a level of insight entirely unheard of before; so, I say to the President, Onward, to the enlightened destiny of mankind!

Do not hold back with communications technology!

Next... jobs. It is admittedly a gross oversimplification to say "We can create jobs by paying people to do stuff". Usually the first complaint I hear is under the assumption that the "stuff" entails nothing useful. However, consider all the infrastructural work that needs to be done and the billions spent on incompetent, greedy contractors.
My opinion is this:
I believe that the government should not merely set baseline standards for capitalism. I think the government should ENFORCE these baseline standards by operating them as a safety net for our economy and our workers, as a kind of department of task execution. Many American population centers need repair on roads, bridges, piping for sewers, water, and fuel, and electrical and communications cabling.
Cutting out the middle man and ensuring fair wages and coverage with the distinctive stability of 'government work' will erect a foundation that is nigh unbreakable as long as it is maintained, and it will put money into the pockets who need it WITHOUT total loss to GDP, because whether they know it or not, their services would be giving something back.

I admit I may be wrong, but it seems to ME at least that cutting out middle men like corrupt private contractors will save us money, net us higher quality, and give us more control over what we're paying for. Every individual that participates is one more family not getting thrown out on the street, one more child not going to bed cold and hungry.
Then, if there are contractors willing to pass the test by stepping up their employee treatment and quality, they will be just fine at competing, and would serve to benefit anyone else who does business with them.

I believe this can be said for every industry: Banking. Medicine. Scientific Research. Agriculture. Manufacturing. Retail. ALL we need is a baseline, set, defined, and operated by the government, for the function of creating jobs, stimulating competition, improving the standard of living, and supporting an economy of high-specialization, premium quality private enterprise.

With a foundation like that, we can make sure that every reasonably able-bodied or able-minded American has a name, a job, food in their stomach, clothes on their back, a roof over their head, and reasonable health. With enough merit-based incentive, anyone who sharpens their skills and does their share of the work will be able to become valuable to the private sector and advance, then affording even better food, clothes, health, and shelter.

on the issue of food, I feel that the government should provide a more detailed, more hands on OPTION to the people of the united states--and to remind, everything I've said so far should be optional to every individual American; NO compulsory cooperation! --but I digress. Healthy Food is too expensive, and stamps and subsidies are too often and all too easily traded off for junk. Healthy food needs to be easier. There is definite appeal rising toward a simplified "balanced diet" package that can be easily collected, prepared, and consumed.
This is a little bit out there, but hear it out: People Kibble.
if I had the option at my fingertips to simply buy servings of people-kibble, processed into a convenient form-factor with a distinct absence of chemical ingredients, and formulated per-serving toward the ideal balance of meat, vegitables, dairy, grains, and fruit, covering the widest reasonable spread of vitamin content, and containing as many calories as necessary for average day-to-day living. I'd possibly even be willing to pay more for it than "real" food...
Just consider it as a healthy alternative to ramen noodles, cheeseburgers, tacos, pizza, and take-out chinese for all our college kids and other less fortunate Americans.

I've run out of steam. If you liked anything that I had to say, or want to respond, I would love to hear from anyone with anything they want to say, even if it's to disagree or present me with contrary proof. I'll be pleased either way.

Thank you!